Electrical gun-switch assembly



l IIIII E. J. MEYER IN1/wrok ATTQRNEY ELECTRICAL GUN-SWITCH ASSEMBLY -llllllllllllllllllllll l I |||.l\llllll lllllllll l llllll Aug. 1l, 1959 Filed July 1p, 1957 EDWARD J. MEYER @a7 umg if `I" i Aug- 11, 1959 E, J. MEYER 2,898,812

ELECTRICAL GUNSWI'TCl-I ASSEMBLY Filed'July 1o, 1957 s sheets-sheet 2 l. 'v Ml mw" ,HW wlnV/ N JINT' wif-1m I a /b/m INVENTDA EDWARD J. MEYER y BMJ/K ATTORNEY Aug. 11,1959.' E. J. MEYER 2,898,812

ELECTRICAL GUN-SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed July l0, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

EDWARD J. MEYER ATTORNEYv United States Patent t) ELECTRICAL GUN-SWITCH ASSEMBLY dward J. Meyer, Normandy, Mo., assignor to North American Aviation, Inc.

Application July 10, 1957, Serial No. 670,929

3 Claims. (Cl. 89-135) This invention pertains generally to a gun switch and particularly relates to an improved form of gun switch for automatic type guns which are designed to lire electrically primed ammunition.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved form of gun switch which will, if properly combined with an automatic gun and associated gun control apparatus, function to permit electrical priming of chambered ammunition only when locking of the breechblock component of the automatic gun has been fully effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved gun switch comprised of a minimum number of operating components and therefore having a high degree of operational reliability.

Another object of this invention is to provide a form of gun switch which may be securely fastened to an automatic type gun tiring electrically primed ammunition, but which may be readily removed from the gun for replacement or other purposes. Further, the form of switch of this invention is not adversely affected in its secured relationship to the gun by those firing and recoil forces existing within the gun structure during its operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of gun switch which may easily and quickly be partially disconnected from a gun to facilitate the accomplishment of certain pre-tiring or post-tiring gun servicing procedures which require removal of the gun from associated aircraft or other vehicles. The providing of a gun switch of the form of this invention is also advantageous in that damage to the switch or other components of the gun control system is greatly minimized during such service operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a form of gun switch which may be assembled to and function with known types of automatic guns utilized for firing electrically primed ammunition.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a gun switch which may be economically manufactured, which may be readily initially attached t an automatic gun, and which is free of complex construction features.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent during consideration of the drawings and description forming portions of this application.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are utilized to designate like components throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic gun;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one embodiment of the gun switch of this invention;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of certain of the components of the gun switch of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a gun switch mounting plate secured to a portion of an automatic gun;

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional View of a portion of an automatic gun showing the gun switch of Fig. 2 in section and showing the gun breechblock component in its closed position;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional 'View similar to Fig. 5, but

showing the gun breechblock component in its open position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but taken in a vertical plane through the portion of the automatic gun of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit typically associated with the gun and gun control apparatus; and

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the gun switch of this invention.

A typical automatic type gun with which the gun switch of this invention may be utilized is illustrated perspectively in Fig. l. lts principal components are a gun mechanism, indicated generally as 10, and a barrel 11 secured thereto. Gun mechanism 10 is comprised of a receiver 12, a reciprocable breechblock 13 contained therein, and a buffer 14 provided to limit rearward motion of breechblock 13 during operation of the gun. Most often barrel 11 is threadably connected to gun mechanism 10 as is shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

The automatic gun of Fig. l is ldesigned to tire electrically primed ammunition and is typical of the type of automatic gun used in lighter aircraft. The breechblock 13 functions to chamber unred rounds of ammunition, extract empty shell casings, and additionally contains the firing pin portion of the electrical tiring system. Further, breechblock 13 is generally provided with cam-actuated -locking means which fully secure it in its closed position relative to receiver 12 during the tiring of a chambered round of ammunition; for safety reasons a safety interlock arrangement is required which will permit firing of a round of ammunition only at a time when it is properly chambered in the gun barrel and the breechblock is locked in position.

The gun switch of this invention, designated generally as 15 in Fig. 2, will fulfill the aforesaid safety interlock function when properly installed and utilized. As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2 the switch s comprised of separable male portion 16 and female portion 17 and spring clips 18 which retain femal portion 17 in proper relationship to and with male portion 16. As will be hereinafter noted, it is preferred that only male portion 16 of the gun switch be rigidly secured to the gun receiver 12.

An exploded perspective view is utilized in Fig. 3 to illustrate more clearly certain of the components of switch assembly 15. Female portion 17 is comprised of a molded base 19 and a molded cap 20 (Fig. 5) secured thereto by fasteners such as 21 and generally of identical configuration to base 19 but reverse thereto. The material of which the molded components are fabricated may preferably be a melamine resin although other dielectric materials and molding compounds will prove acceptable.

Contained within the assembled female portion 17 is female contact 22 which has previously been soldered to cable 23. Eyelet 24 is soldered to shielded portion 2S of cable 23 and contact 22 is soldered to wire portion 26 of the cable. Flange 27 of the eyelet is located in the recesses 28 provided interiorly of members 19 and 20 and fulfills a restraining function for the cable and contact assembly. It should be noted that the opposite end of cable 23 is preferably provided with a disconnect plug, jack, or the like as noted in Fig. 8. Further, wire 26 and contact 22 are necessarily fabricated of materials conducive to the llow of electrical current. Roll pins 29 are inserted in appropriate holes such as 30 provided in base 19 and cap 20 and function to pivotally secure spring clips 18 to the female switch portion 17.

Male portion 16 is comprised of a molded base 31 and a molded cap 32 (Fig. 5) secured thereto by fasteners such as 33 which may additionally function to secure male portion 16 of the switch to either a mounting plate or the gun receiver 12 as will hereinafter be more fully explained. Fasteners 21 may differ from those such as 33; more particularly, fasteners 21 may be provided in the form of rivets whereas fasteners 33 may be threaded screws.

Contained within the assembled male portion 16 is leaflike contact 34 which is generally L-shaped or right-angled in form and which is preferably fabricated of an electrical current conducting material such as spring tempered beryllium copper sheet. Leg portion 35 of the contact projects through a hole 36 provided in base 31; it further extends interiorly of the receiver 12 when the male portion of the switch -is assembled thereto in proper relationship. The end of leg portion 37 of contact 34 projects beyond the extreme of the assembled boss portions 38 of the base 31 and cap 32. It should further be noted that cap 32 is generally identical in configuration to base 31 although of reverse form; recess 39 which receives contact 34 need be provided in only one of the molded male portions but hole 36 must necessarily be in the base portion 31 or its mounted equivalent.

A recess 40 is provided in corresponding ends of base 31 and cap 32 to receive the extremes of spring clips 18 when the male and female portions of the switch body are assembled in their proper relationship. Boss portions 38 then cooperate with recess portions 41 of the female portion 17; contact 34, which is rigidly contained within male portion 16, has its end portion 37 in engagement with female contact 22. The assembled switch is shown in section in Fig. 5.

In some instances it may be desirable to utilize a mounting plate, such as 42 shown in Fig, 4, for securing the gun switch to the gun mechanism 10. As illustrated in Fig. 4, mounting plate 42 is attached to receiver portion 12 by use of fasteners 43; although not shown, fasteners 43 are operationally nterlocked preferably with safety wire. Fasteners 33 of the gun switch male portion 16 are cooperably engaged with the holes designated 44, such mounting plate holes are preferably threaded to receive threaded portions of fastener 33. Hole 45 in mounting plate 42 is located so as to be in alignment with a hole 46 (Fig. 5) located in receiver 12 and is provided as a means whereby leg portion 35 of contact 34 may be passed interiorly of the receiver. It should be emphasized that plate 42 is required only when the holes 47 (Fig. l) provided in receiver 12 for the mounting of switch 15 will not directly accommodate that switch; plate 42 is essentially only an adapter.

The important breechblock feature shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 is the tiring pin 48 which is mounted interiorly thereof in electrically insulating supports such as 49 and which is electrically connected to the gun tiring circuit by firing contact 50 supported by member 51. In Fig. 5 the breechblock 13 is shown in its closed position relative to the receiver 12; in this position the ammunition round 52 is shown as being properly chambered in the :gun barrel 11 and the breechblock locked in position for firing of the round. In Fig. 6 the shell casing of an expended round has been removed from the chamber by extractor 53 and the breechblock 13 and the gun breech is shown as being fully open. It should be noted that contact 50, which is associated with firing pin 48, makes contact with contact 34 of the gun switch 15 only when the breechblock 13 is properly locked in position preparatory to the firing of a round of ammunition (Fig. 5). In Fig. 7 the outline of the switch body is superimposed with a dottedline notation; functional parts 22, 23, 24, and 34 of the switch assembly are shown in their proper relationship to the open breechblock 13. Also, hole 36 of base 31 is more clearly defined.

In Fig. 8 a typical schematic Wiring diagram for an automatic type gun firing control system is shown One terminal of a battery 54, or an equivalent electrical energy source, may be grounded as at 55 to an electron con- 75 ducting structure, the other energy source terminal is electrically connected to a master on-off switch such as 56. A trigger switch 57 is series connected to master switch 56 and to the gun switch 15 of this invention which is mounted on the gun mechanism 10. A disconnect assembly such as 58 may be provided in the electrical line intermediate cable portion 23 and trigger switch 57. Ground 59 is electrically connected to the gun mechanism 10 and to the same electron conducting structure as is ground 55. During the firing of an electrically primed round of ammunition an electrical circuit is completed from source 54, through master switch 56, through trigger switch 57, through disconnect 58, and cable 23; then through the gun switch female contact 22, contact 34, contact 50, tiring pin 48, round 52, and barrel 11; and thence to the battery 54 by way of grounds 59 and 55 with electrical current ow through portions of gun mechanism 10. This circuit is effected only when the breechblock 13 is closed and properly locked as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the switch of this invention; it differs from the embodiment of Figs. 2 through 7 in that it is not provided with separable male and female portions. Mounting plate 42 functions as hereinbefore described and is essentially only an adapter. Switch base 60 is the equivalent of bases 19 and 31 integrated and although having a recess 64 similar to 39 and a hole 65 similar to 36 it is not provided with holes such as at 30 of Fig. 3 for receipt of roll pins 29 or their equivalent.

Wire portion 66 of cable 67 is preferably soldered to end-portion 68 of contact 69. Molded cap 61 is the integrated equivalent of molded cap portions 20 and 32 and is secured to base 60 and the adapter plate 42 and/or receiver 12 by means of threaded fasteners 70 or their equivalent. An eyelet (24) and recess (28) arrangement similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 may be utilized in the construction of the gun switch assembly of Fig. 9 to provide cable restraint although such is not shown. Recess portions 62 and 63 are provided to accommodate the juncture portion of the wire 66 and contact 69 assembly without causing interference in the proper assembly of base 60 and cap 61.

Several advantages are obtained from use of the gun switch of this invention in gun systems of the automatic type firing electrically primed ammunition. Such advantages are noted herein although not necessarily in their relative order of importance.

When properly located and utilized, with respect to other components of an automatic gun and associated gun control system, the gun switch of my invention fully serves its intended function. Electrically primed ammunition cannot be fired, even though properly chambered, unless the gun breechblock has been properly locked in place for the tiring operation. As hereinbefore noted, the breechblock contact utilized to complete an electrical circuit through the firing pin and chambered ammunition round cooperates with the contact of the gun switch only when the breechblock has been positively locked in place.

As illustrated in the drawings, the body of the gun switch of this invention is comparatively thin in that direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the gun and accordingly its bulk or mass is located quite adjacent the gun mechanism or receiver. This feature is particularly advantageous in that comparatively short fasteners may be used to secure the switch to the gun; operating vibrational effects caused by firing and recoil forces do not then tend to loosen or damage such fasteners to the extent that longer fasteners would similarly be affected. This close coupling feature adds to the operational reliability of the switch.

The switch of this invention has comparatively few operating components and thus the operational reliability tlf the switch is further improved. Additionally, because the switch is of a form which is compact, weight savings have been readily effected through somewhat of a miniaturization approach. In aircraft gum installations, every system weight reduction is highly desired provided performance is not sacrificed. Further, because the body of the switch is located quite adjacent the gun body, guns can be mounted in closer centerline-to-centerline relationship in multiple gun installations. Also, the fact that the cable attached to the switch does not project therefrom in the direction of the body thickness is conducive to closer centerline-to-centerline gun mounting.

The disconnect features provided by this invention are also advantageous for several reasons. First, the form of disconnect permits rapid removal of portions of the switch from the gun electrical tiring circuit yet provides for rapid, positive, and secure positioning or engagement of the separable portions of the switch. Such ad vantages are fully appreciated during periods of gun servicing or maintenance when safety precautions must be effected or when the automatic type gun must be rcmoved from an associated aircraft or other vehicle which contains other portions of the firing circuit and firing system apparatus. Second, the quick disconnect feature permits all portions of the gun control system, other than the gun switch male portion and those portions contained within the gun, to be kept separate from the gun during certain maintenance procedures. Such a feature is advantageous in that damage to these separated portions (cable, disconnect plug, etc.) as heretofore encountered and caused by the great weight of the gun accidentally bearing against such components subsequent to their combined removal from an airship or vehicle installation is completely avoided. The switch male portion attached quite adjacent to the gun receiver is not appreciably susceptible to damage during normal maintenance operations; conventional cables or leads, disconnect plugs, and safety switches are.

Also to be noted are the facts that the gun switch of this invention may be economically manufactured, may be utilized with known types of automatic guns, and is free of complex construction features.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a gun having an electrical firing pin contact moved in a linear path within a receiver when the gun is operated, a switch assembly conducting electrical energy to the ring pin contact, said switch assembly comprising: a cable means connected to a source of electrical energy, electrically insulating body means connected to the receiver, and an L-shaped resilient contact means separated from the receiver by said body means and conducting electrical energy to the firing pin contact when engaged therewith, said contact means having a first leg portion restrained by said body means and connected to said cable means and having a second leg portion connected to said first leg portion and extended through an opening in the receiver and into the linear path of the firing pin contact, said second leg portion being moved angularly about said first leg portion when moved by the firing pin contact.

2. A switch assembly mounted on a gun receiver to conduct electrical energy from an external electrical source to a firing pin contact lthat moves along an axial path within the gun receiver, and comprised of: cable means connected to the electrical energy source, female contact means connected to said cable means, L-shaped resilient contact means having a first leg and having an integral right-angled second leg to be engaged with the firing pin contact, and a body connecting said female contact means to said first leg of the Lshaped contact means, said body having a first part connected to the `gun receiver and having a second part connected to -the first part by disconnect means, said disconnect means including mated male and female body portions formed integral with said body parts and including spring clip restraining means, said mated body portions, said restraining means, and said rst leg of the contact means being oriented essentially parallel to the axial path of the firing pin contact.

3. A switch assembly mounted on a gun receiver to conduct electrical energy from an external electrical energy source to a firing pin contact that reciprocates along a path contained within the gun receiver, and comprised of: cable means connected to the electrical energy source, female contact means connected to said cable means, L-shaped leaf-like resilient contact means having one leg extended through an opening in the gun receiver to engage the firing pin contact in the firing pin contact path and having another leg joined to said one leg and restrained relative to the gun receiver, and body means connecting said female contact means to said another leg, said body means having a first part connected to the gun receiver at the surface thereof and having a second part connected to said first part by disconnect means, said first part having an integral male mating portion oriented parallel to the firing pin contact path and restraining said another leg whereby said one leg is moved angularly with respect to said male mating portion and said another leg when moved by said firing pin contact during operation of the gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

